On Scheduling and Organization

Jen at Wildflowers and Marbles is AMAZING!!!

If you by any chance are feeling like me, completely overwhelmed with trying to figure out a schedule for this coming school year and just how to fit everything in, don't miss Jen's post from today:

Organization of the Day - A Mother's Rule of LOVE seeking HARMONY

It was just what I needed to read today. Now, back to my own decluttering, organizing, and working on that schedule... ☺

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Small Successes: July 9, 2009

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

~ 1 ~

I pulled out our favorite Shooting Star, Groovy, and Rocket Popsicle Molds and made jello pudding pops! Yum!! (These are the BEST Popsicle molds and we have been using them for a few years now... They also qualify for Amazon's 4-for-3 promotion!!)

~ 2 ~

I've continued working rearranging our home... I'm beginning to think it may take the whole month of July, or longer! My small success this week was being able to fill up 10 more bags of stuff to donate, and 2 more bags of trash, from the boy's old bedroom. That brings me to a total of 27 bags. Just 13 more and I will have doubled the "40 Bags of Stuff" we were able to get rid of during Lent. ☺

~ 3 ~

On Tuesday I took all 5 children with me to my monthly check-up so they could hear our new little one's heart beating, as well as see Linda, my midwife who has delivered all 5 of them! After my appointment we met two other families at the theater for a $1.00 showing of Horton Hears a Who. This was the first time that most of our children had been to the theater, other than the IMAX theater we visited while we were at the zoo in Nebraska. It was nice that hubby and I could pre-watch the movie (which was pretty good other than a little jab at homeschooling which went over my children's heads...) and that it only cost $12.50 for all 6 of us including a giant refillable tub of popcorn! After the movie we spent the afternoon at a friend's home and then ran errands till hubby got off work. I then switched cars with him and went grocery shopping by myself. I ended up being gone from 7:30 am till nearly 8:00 pm, but I was able to get quite a bit accomplished.

On our way to the movie theater...

Walking past Cold Stone!
(And not one of them asked to stop!! Another small success??)

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

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The Year for Priests Coloring Contest!!

My children have been asking for some time when Illuminated Ink would be having another coloring contest.  Well, according to their July news-eLetter they are having one right now in honor of the Year for Priests!

All entries must be postmarked by Saturday, May 15, 2010 to be eligible. There will also be five different age brackets to be judged: ages 0 – 4, ages 5 – 7, ages 8 – 10, ages 11 – 18, and ages 19 and up. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will be awarded in each age bracket, and the winners will receive an Illuminated Ink Gift Certificate.  (Which can be redeemed for the products of their choice... complete with free shipping!)

Here is the link for all the details and to download the coloring page.  Good luck!

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Wordless Wednesday ~ A Few More from the Fourth!

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Fun Food for the Fourth!

In addition to cupcakes and jello, we also made some delicious Red, White, and Blueberry Skewers to take with us to a 4th of July barbecue, with an excellent view of the fireworks!

All I did was get everything ready to go and my kiddos got busy creating various red, white, and blue patterns with the Strawberries, Marshmallows, and Blueberries.  Captain made a few, and so did Twinkle Toes (before heading back to finish decorating her cupcakes), but Rascal and especially Chiquita *loved* making them! She just kept going until every last berry was used.

They turned out very colorful and didn't last long at the barbecue!

We'll have to remember these for next year since they were such a hit!

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My Daybook ~ July 6th

FOR TODAY: July 6th, 2009

Outside my Window... it's sunny right now, with a high of 84 on the forecast! Perfect weather after a week of highs over 100 degrees!!

I am thinking... that I might have been crazy for wanting to move around 4 of the rooms in our home... This is turning out to be WAY more work than I thought it would be, but it WILL BE WORTH IT IN THE END!! (At least that is what I keep telling myself...)

I am thankful... for my 17 year old sister JoAnn, who came to my rescue a few days last week when I was feeling completely overwhelmed by all the "stuff", and for my little brothers who helped hubby move some of the furniture from room to room.

From the kitchen... Nanaimo Bars and Homemade Apple Pie from the Bakesale/Fundraiser after Mass yesterday! YUM!!!

From the school room... Lots of changes!!! Everything you see in the picture I posted of the "mess" in my last Daybook (in mid June) has been moved and has been replaced by two bunk beds for the boys. Hopefully I will be able to post a few pictures soon.

Living the Liturgical year at Home... I recently compiled all the old posts for July over at Catholic Cuisine into one post for easy reference. I am going to try and continue this each month... ☺

Since today is the feast of St. Maria Goretti, I pulled out this coloring/story book to read to the children, and I also plan on reading Princess & the Kiss: A Story of God's Gift of Purity since she is the patron of young women and purity. Also, this coming Friday is the feast of St. Benedict. I'll be pulling out Catholic Mosaic and reading The Holy Twins.

I am creating... a more organized home and a precious new baby!

I am going... to start taking my vitamins again. I haven't been, and I really notice a difference.

I am wearing... maternity clothes since I seem to have a little baby bump that is growing bigger. I am almost positive that I felt a little kick the other day. So exciting!!

I am reading... lots of blog posts on organization, and have especially enjoyed Jen's posts on her learning room. So very INSPIRING!!!!

I am hoping... to finish my plans for this coming school year and begin in August. How about you? When will your children start the new school year?

I am hearing... the children watching Bugs Bunny in the Living Room. The other night, during dinner, I asked if anyone would like seconds. Rascal replied, "No more for me thanks, I'm driving!" Hubby and I couldn't were SHOCKED, and were trying to figure out WHERE he heard that. Apparently it is a quote from Looney Toons... lol!

Around the house... too much stuff, but hopefully not for long! Elizabeth mentioned that she has been "seeking to have more white space in her home." That is exactly what I am looking for too and I can't wait to read her newest article: Simplifly Your Domestic Church. What perfect timing!

One of my favorite things... my boy's nightlights! I purchased them from Target after seeing Suzanne Temple's recommendation and they are PERFECT!!

(This picture was taken in their NEW bedroom -- the old school room -- and last night Rascal even spent his first night on a TOP bunk!)

A Few Plans For This Week...

• Monthly OB check-up tomorrow morning
  
• Take the children to a $1.00 movie at the theater. They have been saving their tickets! ;)
• Drop off stuff to be donated at St. Vincent's
  
• Summer with the Saints on Thursday

A picture thought I am sharing:

Since I already posted Twinkle Toes' cute 4th of July Cupcakes, how about a picture of my 4th of July FAIL!! It was suppose to look like this, but when I went to add the blue layer of jello I forgot to let it "Chill in refrigerator about 30 minutes, or until the surface of the Jell-O is firm but still tacky" and it went right through the cool whip... Oops!

To see more Daybook's visit Peggy!

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Making Cupcakes...

...on the 4th of July!!!

(With just a little help from mom. ☺)

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And we have a winner!!!

The winner of the Year of the Priest Faith Folder is...

(Drumroll, please!)

Erin from

Growing with my Girls!!!

"This looks fun! I am excited about The Year of the Priest especially since my "baby" brother is a seminarian!"

(Please send me your email address and I will forward it to Lindy.)

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and left comments. I always love hearing from you all, some for the first time! ;)

For those of you who did not win, you have till Sunday to leave a comment over at Mary Ellen's blog for yet another chance to win this Lap Book, or for only $7.99 you can support Faith Folders for Catholics and purchase a copy yourself! (If Lindy hadn't generously shared one with my family for hosting the give-away, I would have definitely purchased it anyway!)

Oh, and can I ask you all a favor? Someone very dear to me could really use prayers this weekend. Could you please say a Memorare for a special intention? Thank you!

I hope you all have a very Happy 4th of July!

May God bless America this Independence Day!

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In Honor of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Yesterday afternoon, despite the heat, we headed back to Marci's home for another:

Summer with the Saints

This week she had decided to feature Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, whose feast day is coming up on July 14th. Here is an overview of our afternoon:

~ Coloring Pictures ~

Marci had this picture available for the children to color. She also read them the short story from the coloring page in addition to Father Lovasik's Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

~ Making Holy Cards ~

~ Craft Time ~

Making Cross Necklaces

~ Snack Time ~

While the children were coloring, Marci had trail mix on the tables for them to snack on. Can you tell which bowl was on their table! ;)

After the crafts were done we headed inside (it had to be around 100 degrees yesterday afternoon?) to decorate cupcakes with candy corn.

~ Group Photo ~

O God who, among the many marvels of Your Grace in the New World, did cause to blossom on the banks of the Mohawk and of the Saint Lawrence, the pure and tender Lily, Kateri Tekakwitha, grant we beseech You, the favor we beg through her intercession; that this Young Lover of Jesus and of His Cross may soon be counted among her Saints by Holy Mother Church, and that our hearts may be enkindled with a stronger desire to imitate her innocence and faith. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us!

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Small Successes: July 2, 2009

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

~ 1 ~

My little brother is MARRIED!!! My small successes that day were getting us all to the church on time (or rather early for that matter!), making an impromptu bouquet for Chiquita who was the flower girl, and setting up the forgotten cake!

We were also able to get a few family pictures, which really isn't a small success...

~ 2 ~

I began the huge project of moving rooms around in our home: the school room to the nursery, the nursery to the girls room, the girls room to the boys room, and the boys to the old school room. What was I thinking??

The biggest success so far was moving the corner cabinet out of the old school room and into the new... I honestly have no idea HOW my dad and brother ever managed to get it in?? Hubby said that it was going to have to remain where it was but I finally convinced them (hubby and my youngest two brothers) to use the window! =)

I also have 10 bags of stuff to take to St. Vincent's in the back of my van plus 5 more bags went into the trash. I still have a long ways to go, but at least it's a start!

~ 3 ~

I made a few revisions and implemented last year's Ticket to Summer! The kids are LOVING it and so am I! It is so nice to have the older boys constantly finding ways to earn tickets (ie: read for 30 minutes; read to the younger children for 20 minutes; push Snuggles on the swing, etc...). The biggest change I made was with the "Good Behavior Drawing." This year they are each given a certain number of tickets (3 each) at the beginning of the week and they lose tickets for bad behavior. Whoever has tickets left at the end of the week gets to choose a prize from the prize basket. If they have all their tickets they will get to choose 2 prizes.

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

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